Summer 2
I took a bite of my sandwich, scribbling some things for tomorrow's assignment. The sound of someone knocking on the front door was heard as mom stopped her sweeping to answer it. I took another bite from my sandwich.
"Oh! Hello, Clara!" Mom exclaimed as I started to choke on my sandwich in surprise. My coughing echoed through the house.
"Leonel?" Mom called in worry as my coughing died down.
"I-I'm fine, mom!" I exclaimed, taking a quick drink of my pineapple juice.
"Should I come back later?" Clara asked as I rushed towards the entrance. Stumbling on my way over.
"No!" I exclaimed, my voice cracking slightly; mom and Clara looked at me in shock as I blushed.
"I-I mean, no. I, uhm, w-would like the visit." I blushed deeper, ashamed that my voice cracked like that.
"Uh, are you sure? It seems like you're eating now." Clara said as my eyes widened.
"Ah, I-I mean I was, but I'm done now!" I lied. I just didn't want her to leave.
"Oh, well, if you're sure! I just wanted to talk to you about tomorrow!"
"Ah, tomorrow?" I asked as Clara nodded.
"Yeah! It's your birthday! Remember?" She exclaimed as I blushed.
"Ah, r-right! S-so, why did you want to talk with me about my birthday?" I asked, a bit of hope in my voice.
"Well, I talked with your mom and dad about having a swimming party at the entrance of Blessia Island." Clara began.
"And Clara convinced us to let you kids grow up!" Mom exclaimed as I blinked in confusion.
"Uh, meaning?" I asked.
"You kids are going to Blessia on your own. The monsters never venture to the entrance, so we don't see why you can't have your birthday there." Mom explained.
"And plus, it gives us a taste of freedom and growing up." Clara said, a blush going up her face.
"Oh?" I began in surprise, "That actually does sound really nice."
"However, if you're not comfortable, we can think of-…" Clara began in a slightly quick pace before I interrupted her.
"Ah! No, no! I like that idea! I have no opposition! L-let's have my party there!" I exclaimed as I noticed Clara's face flush a deeper red.
"O-okay." Clara said in slight embarrassment. Why was she embarrassed? She said swimming party, so maybe she wasn't comfortable in her swimsuit? I blushed as I imagined Clara in a swimsuit.
"I-I have to go and get ready for grandmother's birthday memorial. I-I'll see you tomorrow at school. We'll leave for Blessia around 3:30." Clara said, her face flushing more as she left the house.
"Oh, a-alright!" I exclaimed.
"Tell your grandmother that I wish her a happy heavenly birthday." Mom said as Clara nodded. She gave us a wave, and left the house.
"Are you okay, sweetie?" Mom asked as my eyes glanced over to the side at her.
"Uh, yeah? Why?" I answered as mom leaned towards me with a smirk on her face.
"You two would be cute together." Mom said as my face flushed more.
"Oh my god! Mom!" I squeaked in embarrassment.
"What? I think almost everyone knows about your crush on Clara." Mom admitted.
"B-but it's so hard to tell her." I said, sighing.
"I know. I blame myself for that." She admitted.
"Yourself? Why?" I asked.
"Believe it or not, I was very shy and often spoke through Fern. I had difficulty talking to boys. That is, until your dad asked me out on a date! After that, my stuttering slowed down, and I gained more confidence." She admitted as my eyes widened.
"You and dad really do love each other! Despite you two being complete opposites!" I admitted.
"You know what they say? Opposites attract!" Mom exclaimed as I blushed slightly.
"Yeah. Yeah, you're right!" I exclaimed. Opposites attract! That gave me so much hope! I just need to not get so nervous to be able to tell Clara how I feel about her.